north korea South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on Monday expressed regret over a cross-border drone incursion, calling it “very lucky and wise”, a rare conciliatory response from Pyongyang after years of sharply hostile rhetoric.Lee apologized earlier on Monday for at least two incidents of drones entering North Korea, saying the incidents were carried out by civilians, violated government policy and constituted acts of “resistance” against his country, Reuters reported.Pyongyang accused Seoul of sending a drone into its airspace, calling it a serious provocation and said it had shot it down.“Our government considers this a very fortunate and wise act,” Kim Yo JongKim Jong-un, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, said in a statement published by the Korean Central News Agency, Reuters reported.Kim Yo-jong also said that Kim Jong-un believed that Lee Myung-bak’s remarks “exemplified the frank and broad-minded attitude of a man.”
Lee said the investigation found that National Intelligence Service officials and active-duty soldiers were involved in the incident
Lee told a cabinet meeting that an investigation found a National Intelligence Service (NIS) employee and an active-duty military officer were involved in the drone incident, adding that their actions violated South Korea’s constitution, which prohibits provocations against North Korea.“While this was not our government’s original intention, we express regret to North Korea over the irresponsible and reckless actions of some individuals that caused unnecessary military tensions,” Lee said.Seoul initially denied any official role in the drone intrusion in January, suggesting it might have been the work of civilians, but Lee later said an investigation confirmed the involvement of government officials. Pyongyang claimed to have shot down a drone carrying “surveillance equipment” in early January, and in February warned of a “terrible response” if more drones crossed the border.
A rare thaw in years of hostilities, but broader tensions remain
North Korea’s rhetoric contrasts with recent years, when Pyongyang has branded Seoul its “most hostile enemy” and abandoned its long-term goal of eventual reunification.According to Reuters, Lee Myung-bak has made many proposals to improve relations since taking office in June. He believes that peace is the best way for North and South Korea to achieve prosperity.Lee Myung-bak has sought to repair relations after former President Yoon Suk Yeol took office. The government of former President Yoon Suk Yeol was accused of sending drones to North Korea to spark a backlash. Relations between the two countries deteriorated dramatically during Yun’s tenure, with North Korea responding to propaganda leaflets by sending trash-filled balloons across the border.Technically, the two Koreas are still at war because the 1950-53 conflict ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty.
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